Bill to Update Port Authority Rules Advances to Hearing; Port KC Seeks 'Port Rangers' Authority

Representative Steinmeier (District 20) presented House Bill 2693 as legislation aimed at clarifying how Missouri port authorities are created, how their districts are defined, and how authorities operate and partner for regional economic development.

Steinmeier said the bill's intent is "reduce friction, clarify authority, and improve accountability," and to position Missouri to compete for river, rail and industrial growth "without expanding state liability." He told the committee the measure reinforces that the state is not liable for port authority bonds and limits certain uses of state funds for housing-authority purposes to keep focus on infrastructure and commerce.

Brent Hemphill, a registered lobbyist for Port KC, testified in support and raised public-safety as a concern for Kansas City riverfront development. Hemphill said Port KC currently spends private funds on security and would like statutory authority to appoint "port rangers" with arrest powers to respond on port property while coordinating with local law enforcement. Hemphill pointed the committee to provisions in the draft that outline board appointment processes and removal for malfeasance.

Zach Pollock of the Missouri Port Authority Association said ports generally support the bill "as long as the sponsor agrees to submit language that all of the ports agreed to" (noting related Senate bill language, SB1146). Committee members asked about whether the bill addresses prevailing wage and whether the port rangers language applies statewide or is limited to Port KC; witnesses said some provisions are specific to Port KC in the Senate-filed language and the sponsor would work with stakeholders.

No on-record opposition was recorded in the transcript for HB2693 during this hearing.

The committee closed the public testimony and did not record a committee vote on HB2693 within the provided transcript.